Playing With YUPO and a Watercolor Landscape Demo

[@sfd6270]

I found that one can practice Yupo skills on photo paper for home printers. The surface is a similar -- you get sharp edges -- and it's a way to use up old paper.

[@jamesduncan578]

Now that was fun. Thank you for bringing us along on that journey. Enlightening, entertaining and inspiring, what more could one ask for.

[@susanhamilton1822]

Wow! I am flabbergasted that you were able to create something so beautiful the first time using such a difficult medium. Kudos to you Steve.

[@karenjohnson6487]

Steve I am in awe at what you create from your spontaneous painting. Especially on this occasion with the challenging surface. You never disappoint. Thank you. Very inspiring.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I think spontaneous painting is probably the way to go with this surface because I paint with no expectations and take what I'm given. A planned, drawn out painting would probably be more frustrating

[@oscar6443]

Hi Steve. I absolutely loved that painting, also watching the way you played, and teased the paint, and the brush strokes will help me and many others out there. Thank You for taken the time to demonstrate with that unforgiving paper 🐶

[@annajordan9058]

No matter what you paint , it always turns out beautiful . This is no exception , love it Steve ! Thank you!

[@880raven]

I love the work you’ve done on Yupo paper and the very things that make it frustrating are also the things that draw me to it...the running and spotting and unpredictability. But I’ve yet to try it or any other paper for the most part. I’m one of those students who have all the tools possible, have taken all the online classes I”ve found and really want to paint and yet still don’t know where to start/what to paint. I understand Yupo isn’t for beginners but I think this video has convinced me to just do SOMETHING on this paper. It’s very exciting. Thank you. Paula

[@helgaleifsdottir5191]

So beautiful. Thank you for all the fun wise videos Steve.

[@cassiescreations9828]

Your excitement is contagious and there were several things you said that I love, "Maybe if I lay these brush strokes in a little less strokey and a little more organically." This lack of control and unpredictable nature of this paper is what the Yupo artists embrace! Actually, it could work for a beginner who either lacks or dislikes restraint and does not desire to paint realistically, loves to throw paint down and work with these wonderful exciting shapes forming, bringing out their own vision in the organic shapes. Your painting is full of "happy accidents" and it is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, Steve. I absolutely enjoyed this from beginning to end. I love the unpredictable and organic nature of this product.

[@cassiescreations9828]

@@CactusThorn Huh?

[@rebeccajosteelman563]

I totally agree, always fun to let unpredictability mix with more intended marks and touches of paint with the brushwork. Thanks for this video, Steve. I want to get some great yupo!

[@Lorens-art]

couldn't agree more 100% well said. Steve you are amazing

[@irenepotter2709]

Loved this video because it wasn't edited and makes a real change. Because you are such a fantastic artist you created a wonderful landscape, thank you for showing us.

[@dianeknott3655]

Gosh, Steve, fantastic! I haven't used Yupo in years. Yes, it's FUN, but extremely challenging. Yupo is perfect for your freestyle landscapes. I found what you did...once that base layer is down and you've added more here and there, realizing it was going to lift and do its own thing, that dabbing the details instead of pulling the brush through was the ticket. Absolutely LOVE this! Amazing job! Hope you framed it for yourself.

[@goat8477]

As a beginner without a clue, I became indeed frustrated with that 'polythingy paper' at first. Then I used a few sheets of a small size block as liner paper for my wooden travel palette. Gave me a cool mixing area without beading up. Then i tried it again for loose florals and worked my way slowly into that new experience. Now it has grown on me. But Arches will remain my mothership...

[@mindakahn9964]

I didn’t think you were going to go anywhere. I’m astounded. Everyone I know does abstracts with alcohol inks. I’ve done them with watercolor and alcohol. This was a masterclass.

[@Linda-qq5mg]

It is so much fun to watch you paint this, and exciting to see the progression of the painting! It is a wonderful piece!! Thank you so much.

[@luckybugtarot1717]

Absolutely lovely. 💯

[@lucelaliberte2537]

This was a joy to watch! From the beginning i was seeing a bear running away. The most you were working on it, adding trees and waterfall, the more I was seeing that bear running away with what is left of wild nature on it's back to preserve it somewhere. (hope this comment is making sens as I am french speaking) Love Yupo paper, and this demo was really great!

[@chrisharman4399]

Time spent with you, Steve, is never wasted. Thanks for this video using Yupo in a different way. I have used it with alcohol inks but this looks like a fun thing to try with it.

[@marceystevens8275]

I loved that you brought us along with you through the challenges and frustrations of Yupo paper. It was fun to watch you get angry and frustrated with this product but then at the same time to be excited about the way the paint moved on it and made all these really cool swirls and pictures in the final painting. I had a lot of fun hanging out with you!

[@yoopermary]

I was mesmerized watching that painting develop and was awed by the finished piece. The right hand area put me in mind of Arthur Rackham's work, with all its beautiful roots and rocks tangled together.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Love Rackham!

[@minamilburn3757]

I bought Yupo years ago for a very specific application and painted on it with regular acrylic paints (Liquitex). I needed to paint an image that would then be installed on a ceiling. The Yupo was just fine for that job, I had no problem applying the first layers of acrylic but I should say that the style was controlled and meticulous for that piece of trompe l'oeil. I found that Yupo was Wonderful to draw on with graphite and colored pencil, though I haven't done a full picture with it. One of the awesome things is that you can erase without hurting the surface! I think watercolors are the Last thing I would use it for, but I can see how it would be fun for creating interesting backgrounds for ink drawing.

[@carolratcliff]

“...but happy accidents. Try to let it do its thing! ...” Love it. I really like how your splatters made them work for you. Just great. Thanks!

[@claychick100]

Wow! You can paint on ANYTHING! Gorgeous! Thanks Steve.

[@nancygauthier1190]

Very beautiful. I love Yupo, it's always a surprise. I learned from my teacher that we have to be careful when we touch the paper, at least try to not put your fingers too much on the paper because the oil in our hands keep spots in the paper the paint won't stay on those spots, if I remember, to remove those spots you have to clean it with a bit of alcohol. Once that happens to me, but instead of cleaning it, I painted with my fingers and created a kind of smog, it was an happy accident 😊

[@InLiquidColor]

You are a watercolor magician, Steve. Your patience is awe inspiring, and your connection to your medium and surfaces is admirable.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Aww, thanks so much Denise! That is so nice! Sometimes I think that watercolor is the magician and I'm the assistant! 😂 Which is part of the thinking behind the name for my channel.

[@pjlewisful]

That was a nice adventure with you...thanks!

[@caroleblanchette9748]

Vraiment magnifique. Bravo...

[@KelseyRodriguez]

I would love to see you use yupo paper more often! I haven't found anyone that uses it quite like you do and I'm absolutely in love with the finished result of this piece

[@arlenebaldwin7002]

So much fun and lots of good tips! Mahalo.

[@richardlumpkin4607]

Wow, your impromptu landscapes are always amazing! The waterfalls and the pools just the whole organic look but I guess that was kind of the object of the exercise. Beautiful!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks Richard!

[@lollisim]

Really love your spontaneous painting, very beautiful colours coming out. In playing with yupo and watercolour I've found using lighter colours first (higher concentration of water) in a smaller area than anticipated and then going in with darker colours (low water concentration) gives a little more control as the lighter colours will pool against the thicker, dryer paint and it only pools back a little if you get the ratios right. I've also found with lots of water if you pat it down with a flat paper towel not bunched up, it will smooth out as it dries and be sort of like a flat wash. You really have to abandon traditional watercolour techniques to get any semblance of control but it's definitely fun.

[@twodogstudiomt]

Gorgeous!!

[@OceanaFlorida]

Incredibly beautiful. Wow.

[@adele6592]

Wow! I love this painting. I want to give it a try tomorrow. Would love to you use pencils on Yupo as well.

[@deannerader6527]

Just recently bought Yupo and I love it! Bought Taylor Ikin's Yupo video and it really helped me learn how to use it. Different than your video here so now I've learned even more! Thank you!!!

[@lennyburdick3192]

I really enjoyed this and would enjoy seeing more off the cuff experimenting. Your enjoying of the magic of watercolor is contagious.

[@elaineingram7625]

I’m so inspired with your bravery! I bought Yupo to try alcohol ink, so now I want to try my watercolors on it. I love impressionistic and abstract so I gotta try this. Worse that can happen is use alcohol and wipe the Yupo clean.....whoo hoo!

[@carolbaird3741]

Fantastic! I just purchased some Yupo to try with watercolor. Or both acrylic and watercolor.

[@rebeccajosteelman563]

I couldn't help but notice the piece with the tree trunk and roots - nice.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks. Compared to Yupo, Aquabord is a dream and yet still more frustrating than standard watercolor paper.

[@carol-annealmquist1261]

I had recently started using Yupo for a show and love it. Your landscape really added to how beautiful this paper is - thank!

[@geckonia]

Watercolor on plastic 😬 you always amaze me!

[@geminigirl68]

Cool vid! I'd love to see you do another tree base with all the roots. Great detail work in that one!

[@mariongowland402]

Absolutely love this video. Gorgeous results.

[@VanmeterFL]

Yup, OH! You are fantastic!

[@suzanneyoung3066]

What a beautiful painting and fantastic scene. I loved the commentary and your expression of excitement.

[@annettefournier9655]

It just hit me. This would be an excellent vehicle to teach visualization of negative space. Since you lay the colors down and then you have to go around and lift off areas around the shapes you see to leave the positive shape. I haven't finished the video , I have to make dinner. But I have difficulty with negative space and this helps me see it. Hmmm. Worth trying! Thanks so much for your demo.

[@heatherk.8182]

I’ve had some fun experiments in Yupo doing abstract work. My favorite thing to do is us Daniel Smith’s moonglow with lots of water and letting the pigments separate. Adding some indigo and quin. magenta make some beautiful colors. I’ve used my hairdryer to push the paint around as it dries. After that, a matte varnish to seal it. Lots of fun when I just want to play with color.

[@lauraatkocius8127]

Wow - you weren't kidding about Moonglow! I also used indigo and quin. rose. It's still drying, but I was wondering if you have the effect where the moonglow dries faster? I'm not sure if it was just the amount of water I used or a property of that particular color.

[@heatherk.8182]

Laura Atkocius I’ve seen the moon glow drying faster as well. You can also speed it along with a hairdryer or heat tool and push the pigments around. Lots of fun!

[@audreydewar1108]

I am amazed

[@Aeronwen813]

Thank you!!! Fascinating, exciting, informative, instructional and very generous. And a lovely painting to look at as well!

[@theresasmith6643]

Fabulous!

[@suzanneroper5732]

I’ve tried Yupo but only for abstract work (think geode). As always, your work is so inspiring. What patience! One tip: work on Yupo needs a spray fixative just like pastels. Protect that dreamy scene with a topcoat. Thanks, Steve, love your channel.

[@Lorens-art]

Steve you are seriously the God of Watercolour

[@francecotnoir4772]

For the yupo. Put color on one sheet then put another yupo sheet of paper on it, the color will move then try to work with the result you will obtain when you will separe both sheet.

[@miuky3340]

I loooove your style

[@somacarr7528]

Wow, love what you created!

[@janettandy838]

Thanks so much for this demo! It gives me a new vision as to how I might use YUPO paper. Watercolor on YUPO definitely has 'a mind of its own'!!

[@jewellmoebus3260]

I've loved this demo & the examples you gave us. I've used Yupo a lot & at first it drove me nuts, but I had a friend who experimented with less water & got a more representative effect. Not the same as 140 lb cold pressed w.c. paper, but really quite beautiful. I've created some beautiful paintings letting it do its own thing, like swirling around as one color meets another (quite wet). Being AN IMPATIENT painter/person I had a hard time waiting for it to dry w/o moving it, but messed up some wonderful effects by lifting it up carefully but too soon & lost them or messed up what I had wanted to preserve. Like making a smooth wash, recreating/repairing something on Yupo is nearly if not impossible to do. If U accept it for the wonderful things it does & not try to use it like regular w.c. paper, its really fun & surprising. I'm going to try the w.c. markers like you suggested & see what I get. Thanks a lot, U r always instructive but this one was really special for me. Jewell

[@BJDLove]

Great for pastels! Try neocolor II on yupo.

[@TTomJohn]

Thanks Steve. Haven't tried it. Have some around. You make it tempting. As always, informative and enjoyable.

[@felicitycrowe6971]

I think this is one of the most informative art videos alive ever seen! Thank you!

[@delila351]

amazing...........turned out to be a fantastic scene.

[@mariakellner2221]

When buying yupo in a sheet I pick the one from the middle of the stack because it's handled less,I use alcohol to clean if there a finger marks,tfs your technique.

[@Rubbereyes]

Very interesting. Something to try.

[@danemeow8]

Love u Steve! So helpful you are my favorite watercolor artist on KZbin!

[@franswey2]

Thank you for sharing this information on Yupo paper. I bought some sample pads to see if it would be good for Pen & Ink drawings. It is a challenge!🤬🤣 I loveyour painting it looks like a wonderful forest landscape on the back of a bear!

[@kathys9999]

Love it!

[@montanaphoto]

I'm commenting as I watch you. I get so excited about Yupo, it's such an amazing paper. What you did, has me excited to try something besides an animal!

[@robertapizzorno8901]

fantastic result, just love it!

[@elvenham1]

This is incredible! You really work wonders with a brush, especially on a surface as ornery as this. I loved hearing your enthusiasm as you tested and discovered, and so I appreciate this video's loose format. I've got some sample sheets of Yupo that might just need to be played with, now. Thanks, Steve!

[@cassiescreations9828]

I love the description you give it, "ornery" - that's perfect!😊

[@beulahbarber4526]

Wow thank you so much, this is magical...

[@cynthiakeith8760]

Good morning Steve. I have watched your tutorials regularly and enjoy your teaching style and always a beautiful outcome. I am a patron of Louise De Masi. I have painted off and on for several years. My last 5 year draught ended a few months ago. In all the time I painted our daughter has never asked me to paint a picture for her until now. I asked Louise who she would recommend to ask for advise on the picture and she suggested you... I had to agree.

[@cynthiakeith8760]

Sorry I touched send... The.picture is in a canadian desert in British Columbia. Our daughter, son in law have their 3 children are horse back riding. My skill level has not reached the point of specific detail but I want to be able to relay the kids doing something they love as a family. May I ask you how I can approach the sketching and painting techniques to work on this painting? I am hoping to give it to our kids as a Christmas gift.

[@cynthiakeith8760]

Sorry again.. I not I truly understand. I am retired, miss my work so much I casual where help is required in my area of training in healthcare . Especially now in the trying times of this pandemic... Hence painting time is less and having one artist in Patreon is more than I can handle. I can not keep up to Louise’s beautiful tutorials as it is in the future I want you to paint in landscapes as well... I will then ask to be a Patreon member with you as well. I love Louise’s realistic detailed work and I love your beautiful magic you do to create your landscapes... some day I will do both... getting back to my request. May I get your advise on how to paint our kids family picture? If not I fully understand. Take care. Stay healthily. Blessings. Cynthia Keith from Portage la Prairie Manitoba Canada.

[@mindofwatercolor]

This is just a very complex question to answer. Really not possible to answer in just a KZbin comment. I don't know what the scene even looks like but painting people is tricky and takes practice. Do you have a more specific question I can answer about painting? What approach to take is a very broad subject to address.

[@genevievegate2207]

très très beau bravo l'artiste

[@MariaNyceDesigns]

One word...AMAZING!!!

[@kathsoulsby873]

Just bought some Yupo paper today and then up comes your video...perfect timing. Very informative and the picture turned out beautifully Would be interested in seeing more of the same..thanks

[@cherigreen4471]

This just stunning! I love your work! To me, this has an ethereal quality to it.

[@lindajarriel354]

BEAUTIFUL!!

[@evangelinepoe8952]

Wonderful! I think you can declare - "veni, vidi, vici"! 👏 Hope you get a chance to try this again. Thanks Steve.

[@pattycyr8662]

Amazing - I love it!

[@elainelogan2023]

BEAUTIFUL

[@barbarakennedy4636]

Thanks for the journey you took us on! I love how excited you were discovering all the textures you can get with Yupo. Those happy accidents are on of the reasons why I changed to watercolours from acrylics 2 years ago, and the excitement continues!

[@heberdua]

Wow! You should definitely do more videos like this, I learned so much ! That is one awesome painting!

[@paintlady2268]

Wow, you made that look awesome! But I'm not going to be jumping on the fussy Yupo train just yet. Which says more about my abilities than the medium maybe, but I'm ok with that for now.

[@exmoorbeastie]

Hi Steve, really useful video. We can learn a lot from just watching and listening to your experimentation. I've learned loads more from your videos than any other wc uploader. A million thanks!

[@joyousruby2967]

You don't really have to tape it down..as never buckles..as plastic..to remove finger prints..before use..I wipe with isopropol alcohol to clean from grease .!not really Expensive as wipes clean to 're use again !

[@cassiescreations9828]

@@joyousruby2967 good tips

[@janetbailey8966]

Simply AMAZING!!! Love it!!

[@Rebemondo]

I have an artist friend who works with Yupo paper but she uses acrylic paints. I like the effect you got with watercolor paints though! Thanks for the demo.

[@maryanharrell5642]

Wow, Steve. I had been wondering about Yupo, but had never seen anyone work with it, and did not know anything about how it worked. This was a fascinatining video. I also learned a lot of other tricks and stuff just like I always do when I watch you paint anything. Thanks so much. This was such fun. I am going to watch it again, and get out my paints, but whether I try Yupo remains to be seen!

[@lakenreich]

I love this!! Love your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@JHendrix98]

very insightful description of the paper surface texture

[@DineseBeckert]

I would love to see this done in Gouache, I think I will try that today as I have Yupo!!

[@deborabogda5998]

This is THE most awesome painting! 💜💜

[@LizzyAnn904]

really amazing! I can't wait to try Yupo.

[@klaudiadollbaum6382]

Love this

[@lisap5615]

This was so fun to watch you experiment with the yupo paper. I was amazed by the incredible beauty of the natural shapes and lines that were created by the first wash along with the spray. I enjoyed watching you create a lovely recognizable subject out of it. I don't think I will try yupo paper with watercolors at this point, but I might try it with colored pencils. They seemed to lay down so smoothly. Did you notice if the colored pencils could be layered on this paper? Thank you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

They can layer a bit, yes.

[@VorpalPlayer]

I use Yupo for portable palettes. I cut a piece the size of the inside lid of my metal palette...but I also take extra pieces along, because after the paint dries, the sheets can be stacked and the paint reused. I've even splotched paint on them and put them into a small folder for super-portability when I don't feel like even hauling my travel palette. That said, one time the paint was "arranged" so prettily that I saved it as a "painting." It's great stuff.

[@pattip539]

Watching you make this take shape was amazing!

[@victoriabelmont1768]

So fascinating

[@cmbergersct3492]

I played around on yupo with watercolors about ten years ago. After watching you, I'll try again. Your creative landscape work here is amazing and fun. If there's a national yupo landscape contest yet, have you considered entering? Thanks for another great lesson to encourage experimentaion and creativity off the beaten path.

[@mariepeillon2037]

Vraiment magnifique ! Bravo quel talent.

[@victoriatexasgal8130]

Thanks Steve for another informative video!

[@soniamoore9776]

Gorgeous

[@wayneosborne56]

Thank you for this video, I really needed to you (Mr. Professional Water-colorist) use Yupo paper. I have had two packs, one small and one large for over 5 years now and ever time I tried, it was a complete failure. The results were awful. What I learned for you is mainly be patient with the drying process and don't be afraid to use other media. My preferred media is colored pencil. I never considered using them on Yupo; I will now. So thanks so much Steve; I really appreciate you channel. God Bless You In All That You Do. Amen!